doolittle



5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W. W. DooLITTLE.

TUMBLER.

Patented Apr. 24, 1894u (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Shea?, 3. W. W. DOOLITTLE.

TUMBLER.

No. 518,735. Patented Apr. 24, 1894.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. W. W. DOOLITTLE.

. TUMBLBR.

No. 518,735. Patented Apr. 24, 1894.

L umocnmmma com-Am' (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet A5.

W. W. DOOLITTLB.

TUMBLER.

Patentd pr. 24,?1894.

llllllllllllllilllnlillll n TES ATENT OFFICE."

` WILLIAM W. DOOLITTLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO Tl-IE CRANECOMPANY, on

SAME PLACE.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 518,735, dated -Apen24, 1894.

Application filed March 10, l392` To all whom, tan/ty concern,.-

Beit known that LWILLIAM W. DooLITTLE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the countyofCook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Tumblers, which are fully set forth in the followingspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in

`vvhich Figure 1, represents a side elevation of a tumbling machineembodying my invention, with the outer casing broken away; Fig. 2, anend elevation of the same looking in the direction of the arrow Fig. l;Fig. 3, a detail section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. Y4,alongitudinal section taken on the line 4-t of Fig. 2, partlybrokenaway; Fig. 5, a section taken onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. G, asimilar section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7, a detail ofFig. 6; Fig. 8, an elevation of one of the ring fastening platesdetached; Fig. 9, a cross section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1; Fig.l0, a detailiplan of the barrel as seen in Fig. 5 with the casing insection; Fig. 11, a detail section taken ou the line 1l-l1 of Fig. 10;Fig. l2, a simi-lar section taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10;` Fig.`13, a similar section showing the stave only, and Fig. 14, a detail plansection taken on the line 14E-14: of Fig. 5.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are upon a single scale,the remainingfigures are upon the same scale, but enlarged from the former, with theexception of Fig. 9, which is on a scale by itself somewhat moreenlarged.

My invention relates to machines for cleaning castings and `polishingarticles of metal, known under the name of tumbler, tumbling box,rumble, or rolling barrel.

The invention consists in various improvements in different parts of themachine, and therefore I will describe in detail the construction andoperation of a complete machine, in which I have carried out myinvention in a practical way, and will then specify more delinitely inclaims the particular improvements which I believe to be new and wish tosecure by Letters Patent.

In the drawings, A, represents the bed on which the machine is mounted;at one end,

Serial No. 424,449. (No model.)

which may be called the front end, there is a standard ct, onwhich ismounted a chute a', which receives the castings or other articles from ahopper a2, arranged above the chute andinto which the articles aredelivered. The revolving tumbler or rolling barrel is mountedhorizontally as usual, and is arranged to receive the articles directlyat the front of the chute, as will presently be described. This tumbleris of somewhat peculiar construction. 6o It is composed of two parts orsections which are arranged in line with each other and are joined orsecured together at their abutting ends. Each section is ofsubstantially the same construction, so thata description of one in themain will answer for both. In the first placethere is an inner barrel B,which is composed of long slats or staves l), arranged with their edgestouching, as seen in Figs. 5 and 9, thus forming a polygonal 7c barrel.The edges of theseslats are straight and perpendicular to theface for ashort distance, and then are out away to form bevels ZJ', runninginward, so that the slats touch along sharp lines or narrow edges,leaving a little Wedge shaped opening between the slatsboth outside andinside of this line contact,

as seen in the figures above mentioned. This construction permits a slatto be removed from the inside without disturbing the 8o outer barrel. Itis only necessary to take out the bolts which connect any slat to theouter barrel and it may then be slipped inward between the two adjacentslats, as will beseen from an inspection of Fig. 5. If it were not forthis construction, it would .be necessary to take the outer barrel apartin order to remove a defective or broken slat of the inner barrel. Onthe outer face of each slat there is a rib B', running the entire lengththereof. 9o Each rib has three enlargements in the direction of itswidth, one Z22, at the outer end of the barrel, the second b3, about themiddle thereof, and a third b4, at the inner end. Each 0f theseenlargementsmakes a kind of 95 head, in which is cut a T slot or recessb5, the v wider portion of the recess being the inner portion next tothe face of the slat or stave, this recess in the end enlargements isopen at the outer end; in the middle head b3, there is roo staves asdescribed, there is a second casing or barrel which is made up of threeor more sections on each half of the tumbler. At the outer end of eachpart of the tumbler there is a section C, next within is a section D,and at the inner end a section E. These separate sections entirelysurround the inner barrel, the staves of which are secured thereto aswill presently be explained. The sections join each other by lap jointsand the two inner ones abut against each other 4and are joined by a lapjoint, asseen in Fig. 4. These several sectionsmay be cast as entirerings, but

preferably are made in two parts, each the half of a circle, joined tomake a complete ring, as seen in Fig. 5, of the drawings, in which theouter section C, is shown formed from two half circles c. These outersections or rings C, are of skeleton form, being composed of an outerring c', and an inner ring c2, joined by bars or slats c3, with widespaces cut out between them, thus making a kind of skeleton cage at eachend of the tumbler, as seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings, in which the cageat the rear end of the barrel is shown uncovered.l The inner ring c2, isalso provided with a narrow vertical flange c, projecting directlyoutward from the rin". The middle section D, is a broad, plain band,with a circumferential flange d, at each edge, the inside of each angebeing slightly beveled 0:' inclined, as seen in Fig. 4, and a broad,smooth tread d being provided within these two flanges. The third orinner section E, is a plain band or ring, except that near the extremeedge thereof, it is provided with acircumferential flange e, of angleiron shape in cross section, one arm of the angle being perpendicular tothe ring, and the other or outer one parallel thereto, as seen in Fig.4. The staves which form the 'inner barrel are secured to these severalbands or rings in the following manner: At their outer ends they arefastened to the outer rings c', by means of bolts c5, the heads of whichare slipped into the T slots b5, `in the heads b2 at this end of thestaves and being passed out through holes in the rings c are secured bynuts on their outer euds,as seen in Figs. 4 and 1l. In like manner thestaves are secured to the middle ring D, by means of bolts cl2, theheads of which are fitted into theT slots b5, in the middle headsb', ofthe staves, the square openings b providing for this connection. Thebolts being passed out through suitable apertures in the band D, aresecured by nuts` on their outer ends, as seen in Figs. 4and 12; andinlike manner the ends of the staves are secured to the inner rings E, bymeans of bolts e', which are .the two parts of the barrel.

1to the tumbler.

iitted in the T slots of the heads b4, at the inner ends of the stavesand are passed out thence through suitable apertures in the band E, andsecured by nuts on the outside thereof, as seen in Figs. 4 and 14.

At each end of the barrel there is a wide, iiat ring, which, beingfitted and secured to the parts already mentioned at the respective endsof the barrel, fastens the whole together and completes the structure.At the front end this ring F, joins directly by a lap joint the outerring of the cage; and at the rear end the ring G, joins in a similar Waythe outer ring of the cage section at that end of the barrel. Long rodsG running the entire length of the barrel connect these two end rings bymeans of heads at one end and nuts at the other, as seen in Figs. 4 and5. It will be seen from this description that the several parts which goto make up the completed barrel, are thus securely connected togetherand that, by means of the bolts joining the staves to the outer barreland the long rods running the length of the latter, these fastenings maybe tightened to any degree required, so as to make the completedstructure a firm, solid barrel. This barrel is mounted on bearingrollers H, which are adapted to fit the bearing surfaces provided bytheinclined iianges and midway tread on the central band D, of Theserollers are arranged in pairs just below the barrel, as seen in Fig. 9,and are on long shafts or journals h, which are mounted in suitablejournal bearings h on standards or suitable supports h2, rising from thebed of the machine, as seen in Fig. 4. The journal bearings areconstructed to slide on their supports and are adjustable thereon bymeans of set screws h3, as seen in Fig. 9, for the purpose of adjustingthe rollers properly to the tumbler.

To provide for the rotation of the tumbler an annular gearl, is fastenedthereto midway of its length. This is accomplished by making thisgearing to fit the angle iron anges e, at the inner end of the innersectionrE of the outer drum, as seen in Fig. 4, and the gearing issecured thereto by means of bolts e', which pass through the fiat outersections of these flanges and flanges t" projecting on each side of theteeth of the gearing, as seen in the same figure. A driving pinion J, ona drive shaft j, engages with this gear I, and

thereby imparts the required rotar-y motion A- ring K, is fitted in thefront opening of the chute a', the edge of the ring by which thisfitting is made being curved outward until it is nearly perpendicular tothe diameter, and is then iitted to the chute opening by a lap joint, asseen in Fig. 4. The opposite end or edge of the ringjust enters theopening of the ring F, and is fastened in this position by four plates7c, which are set diametrically opposite each other and secured to thering F, by means of bolts k' IIO the ring K, as may be required, theslots la permitting this movement, and the bolts passing through saidslots serving also as a fastening to secure these plates in position.The ring K, must be of very hard metal, for obviously the castings willpass through this ring to enter the tumbler and consequently the wearthereon is very severe. A thin ring or gasket f2 of similar very hardmetal is also placed just inside the ring F, between the latter and thefront ends ofthe staves, this ring is of a little less diameter than theinner barrel, and so projects inward a little beyond the staves andaffords a protection against the wear of the latter by the castingsrunning into thebarrel. It will be seen that these pieces which take thewear are independent of the main parts of the barrel and may be easilyreplaced when finally worn put; they are comparatively inexpensive.

At the :rear end of the barrel there is a discharge funnel L, theflaring edge of which is iitted nicelywithin `the ring G, and isprovided with an upright flange Z, that abuts against the said ring, asseen in Fig. fi. The outer end of this discharge funnel is closed by acap M, constructed to abut against the outer edge of the funnel. Thiscap is provided with a stem m, pivoted to the outer face thereof andthis stern is supported by an upright swinging standard N, which isprovided with a bearing` n, suitable for this stem. The standard ispivoted at its lower end to a bracket n on the bed, and a set screw n2is inserted in the standard just back of the stem m, so as to providefor adj usting thelat` ter to properly close the cap. The standard N,isconnected at its upper end by a rod n3 with any suitable lever orotherdevice whereby the rod may be moved lengthwise to vibrate the standardto open and closethe discharge funnel of the barrel. In the draw ingsthis device is shown as an uprightshaft N', provided with a crank armn4, to which the rod is connected, and a handle n.5, at` its upper endby which it may be oscillated. A chute m', is arranged just below thedischarge funnel M, whereby the castings as they are delivered fromthetumbler may be conducted away as desired.

Around the tumbler there is an outer casing O, of any suitable sheetmetal. This casing :is made large enough to leave some space betweenitand the barrel and to come down along the sides and ends of the latterto the bed, as seen in Figs. 1,4 and 9. Atthe front end it is providedwith an opening o, that ret ceives the ring K, and at the rear end thereis a similar opening o for the discharge funnel L. The top of this caseis sloped downand may be discharged at once.

ward slightly at each end, as seen in Fig. l and at the rear end belowthe funnel, it is bent inward to form an inclined section o2, underneaththe cage at this end of the tumbler, as seen in the saine gilre. Thisouter casing is supported and held in position by means of a band P,secured to the inside thereof, and provided on its inner face with twoanges p and p arranged a little distance apart. A flange ring Q, isfastened by bolts q, to the flange c4, heretofore described, as providedon the inner ring of the skeleton cages. These flange rings andthe bandP are so arranged relatively that the ring will project into the `spacebetween the two anges p and p', in which, however, they are free to turnwith the tumbler. The outer casing is thus sustained and held againstlateral and longitudinal movement. Within this outer casing there arealso provided two cross-partitions, R, arranged below the barrel andfastened to the respective dange rings Q. These `partitions v.

this kind. But there are some features of operation wherein this machinediffers from any heretofore known to me. The barrel is of much greaterlength than usual-in fact, it is intended to be so long that as thecastings travel along from the front tothe rear end of the barrel theywill be completely cleaned It will be noted that the device for openingthe discharge end of the barrel may be operated without stopping therotation of thc later. In operation then it is intended to deliver thecastings to the barrel keeping the latter in rotation all the time untilfinally it is iilled to the extent required from one end to the other.The castingswhich have reachedthe rear end at this time will be foundclean and ready for discharge and without stopping the rotation of thebarrel the discharge opening is uncovered and the delivery `ot' cleancastings will then commence at the rear end of the barrel. The dischargeopening may be left uncovered and the operation of cleaning the castingsis carried on constantly,

vices from all dirt which otherwise escaping The second casing or`through the slats might accumulate about these parts and soon interferewith their operation; 'and the outer casing and partitions R eectuallyprotect this entire central portion of the machine from all dust anddirt which otherwise would there accumulate.

The construction is such as to provide a very substantial andsatisfactory machine in which the operation may be continuous and may beused without the double construction herein set forth and otherdepartures may be made from the details herein set forth and stillretain the main characteristics of my invention; hence I do not wish tobe understood as limiting myself specifically to all the details ofconstruction herein shown and described. f

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is a l. In a tumbler, a complete interiorbarrel composed of independent slats or staves, in combination with acomplete exterior cylinder or barrel surrounding the former, with anarrow space between the two, and devices whereby the slats of theinterior barrel are each independently secured to the outer cylinder,substantially as described.

2. Ina tumbler, an inner barrel B, composed of staves b, provided with Tslots or recesses b5, on their outer'faces, in combination with an outerbarrel surrounding the former, and bolts with their heads adapted to titsaid T slots and passing through the outer barrel to` secure the twotogether, substantially as described.

3. In a tumbler, an inner barrel B, composed of separate slats,incombination with an outer barrel surrounding the former and composed ofthe separate sections C, D, and E, abutting against each other, andthrough rods Gr', securing said sections together, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a tumbler, an inner barrel B, in combination with an outer barrelsection C of skeleton form, surrounding each end of the former, andentire middle sections D and E arranged between the end sections anddetache ably connected therewith, substantially asidescribed.

5. In a tumbler, an inner barrel B, in combination with an incasingsection D, connected to the former, and provided with a tread d', havingbeveled flanges d in combination with bearing rollers H, having bevelededges at the ends on which the tumbler is mounted and which are adaptedto fit said anged tread, substantially as described.

6. In a tumbler, an inner barrel B, in combination with outer casingsections E, connected thereto. and provided with circumferential flangese, and an annular gear I, seated on saidiianges and secured thereto,substantially as described.

7 In a tumbler, an inner barrel B, composed of separate slats b, incombination with an outer barrel composed of the separate sections C, D,and E, connected respectively to the inner barrel, the end rings F, andG, applied to the respective ends of the barrel, and through rods G',extending from one end ring to the other, substantially as described.

8. In a tumbler, the end ring F, arranged at the front end of thebarrel, in combination with a hard metal ring K, arranged in the former,and the sliding plates k, arranged to embrace' the ring K, and adjustably attached to the ring F, substantially as described.

9. In a tumbler, the front end ring F, in combination with the lhardmetal delivery ring K, arranged therein, the sliding plates k, providedwith concave inner edges, recesses 7c3 at their outer edges, and slotsk2, the fastening bolts k', for securing said plates to the ring F, andthe set screws f', in the ring F, adapted to adjust the plates le,substantially as described.

lO. In a tumbler, an inner barrel B, in combination with the front endring F, a hard metal delivery ring K, arranged within the former, and ahard metal gasket f2, arranged between the ring F, and the end of thebarrel B, to protect the latter from wear, substantially as described.

1l. In a tumbler, an inner barrel B, in combination with an outer barrelsurrounding the former and connected thereto, an end ring G, applied tothe rear end of the latter, and a discharge funnel L, mounted in saidring, substantially as described.

12. In a tumbler, a discharge funnel L, mounted in the rear end of thebarrel, in combination with a closing cap M, provided with a stem m', anupright pivoted standard N, provided with a bearing in which said stemis mounted, and actuating devices whereby the attendant may swing saidstandard to open and close the funnel, substantially as described.

13. In a tumbler, an inner slatted barrel B, in combination withan outerbarrel C, D, E, within which the former is mounted and to which it issecured, and an outer independent Y casing O, covering the whole barrelstructure,

substantially as described.

14e. In atumbler, an outer covering case O, in combination with bands P,secured on the inside thereof and provided with flanges p', p', theouter barrel sections C, provided with vertical iianges c4, and a flangering Q fas- IOO IIO

' tened to said Henges c4 and entering loosely receiving end and devicesfor opening and between the Iianges p on the band P, subclosing thedischarge opening at will, subro stantially as described. stantially asdescribed. l5. In a, tumbler a lon@ continuous barrel 5 provided with askeleton gage section at each d WILLIAM W' DOOLITTLE' end thereof andhaving receiving and dis- Witnesses: charge openingsin its opposite endsor heads, CARRIE FEIGEL,

in combination with a delivery chute at the A. M. BEST.

